Hurricane Hole
Last inspected: Apr 8, 2026
74
Score
Across the available record, Hurricane Hole has eight inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent visit was on Apr 8, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around 10 violations to closer to eight violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease”, which has been cited six times.
Among Key West restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
8
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 8, 2026
Routine - Food
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed kitchen utensils stored in standing water at 97 F.
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed walk in cooler fans guard soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed several bags of raw shrimp thawing in standing water at 3 compartment sink.
06-01-5
Basic - Walk-in freezer shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed several plastic bottles with different sauces not labeled. During the inspection employee labeled them. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
74
Aug 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 11 minor violations.
View 15 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed a hose connected at the time of the inspection by the dishwasher machine.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener soiled. Employee washed it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta inside the reach in cooler not date marked. As per employee food was cooked around 11:00.
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. Observed all food handler training are not the original certificate.
53B-09-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed behind the 3 compartment sink. **Repeat Violation**
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed handle inside the sugar. Employee removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At the cook line. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed food inside the reach in cooler not covered. Employee covered food. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-12-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Observed a water leak under the hand wash sink by the office.
29-11-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damages or in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles in disrepair at the kitchen area.
36-32-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed cell phone stored next to seasoning and above food by the 3 compartment sink. Employee removed it. **Corrected On-Site**
40-06-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in freezer door in disrepair.
14-11-5
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Repeat Violation**
35B-01-4
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed under the hand wash sink located by the office.
36-22-4
37
Apr 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed fries (61/59F - Cooling) covered it. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-07: Not cooling process at the time of the inspection.
03D-15-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. By three compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-07: **Time Extended**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Filter soiled **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-04-07: Observed accumulation of grease on them . **Time Extended**
23-03-4
82
Apr 2, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 4 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed sausage (55F - Cold Holding); cooked pasta (53F - Cold Holding); cut tomatoes (44F - Cold Holding); ceviche (44F - Cold Holding); black beans (53F - Cold Holding); conch ceviche (44F - Cold Holding) for less than 4 hours as per operator. Operator open the walk in freezer door while the technician arrive. Also observed corn/beans salad (55F - Cold Holding); cheese (55F - Cold Holding); hot dogs (59F - Cold Holding); arugula (60F - Cold Holding). Less than 4 hours as per operator, operator placed under ice bag. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. Observed fries (61/59F - Cooling) covered it. **Warning**
03D-15-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Quaternary test kit. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Paper was replaced during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At the cook line, soap was replaced during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31B-03-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler with ambient temperature of 55°F, located across the cook line. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. By three compartment sink. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. In standing water at 102°F. Operator reheated at 135°F or above **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
10-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. At the cook line. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Filter soiled **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. On top of preparation table. Operator properly stored it. **Warning**
21-44-1
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. **Warning**
35B-01-4
39
Jul 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean
FL-23
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
52
Jul 30, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Spray hose at dish sink lower than flood rim of sink. Observed at ware washing area. **Warning**
29-37-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed raw fish (52F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp (52F - Cold Holding); raw shrimp with seasoning (54F - Cold Holding); cheese (55F - Cold Holding) inside reach in cooler at cook line. As per operator, products were placed inside unit approximately 2 hours prior. Employees placed bags of ice over products. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed hose connected near sink at ware washing area missing vacuum breaker. **Warning**
29-34-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at cook line and bar. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Basic - Building components, attachments or fixtures in poor repair. Observed 1 walk in cooler fan cover missing. **Warning**
36-51-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vent at expo area soiled with dust. Observed ceiling near dish machine soiled with black substance. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee phone on cutting board near kitchen exit. Employee removed phone and sanitized area. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall near sink at ware washing area. **Warning**
36-24-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed no ambient thermometer at reach in cooler at cook line. **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soda gun holster soiled with slimy substance at bar. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed walk in cooler vent covers soiled. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-50-4
33
Apr 4, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 20 violations
High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. By the large dishwasher.
29-34-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Kitchen, prep area: can opener blade.
22-02-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By the cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Required employee training provided by a third-party employee training program and operator unable to provide original certificate for employees trained. FRLA, Jean Rodlet Turenne, Christine Garcia, Sandra Mirahova, Andrea Strictland, Ryan Banks, Keith Fritz, Donna Cannon, Tom Vilkis
53B-09-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Water temperature 86-87F, by the office. Observed operator adjust the knob for the hot water, new temperature 103F. **Corrected On-Site**
27-16-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Discussed with the operator and provided the handout for the clean-up plan for vomit/diarrhea. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine by the servers station.
22-20-5
Basic - Ceiling tile missing. Kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
36-36-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Throughout the establishment.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. All reach in cooler gaskets broken in front the cookline. manner. Walk in freezer door damaged. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Throughout the establishment. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. By the dishwasher.
36-24-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer door and door frame.
14-69-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Cookline, oven door. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Back prep area and table the table in front of the cook line. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Interior of walk in freezer door in disrepair/has exposed insulation.
14-36-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. All reach in cooler gaskets soiled. Walk in cooler fans guards soiled. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Servers station: forks. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-18-4
Basic - Standing water or very slow draining water in mop sink in the prep area.
29-20-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed black wall by the mop sink and dish washer.
36-27-5
26
Aug 18, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly.
22-41-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Ceiling tile missing.
36-36-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Freezer door is in poor repair
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water.
36-22-4
Basic - Food stored on floor.ice on floor in walk in freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Rusting can opener
23-03-4
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Hurricane Hole last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Hurricane Hole on file is from Apr 8, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Hurricane Hole?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Hurricane Hole.
How does Hurricane Hole compare to other restaurants in Key West?
Hurricane Hole most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Key West average of 74.
Has Hurricane Hole's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Hurricane Hole have averaged around eight violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Hurricane Hole means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Hurricane Hole inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Hurricane Hole is inspected around two times per year on average.
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